Tape for slide fasteners



April 17, JONES I TAPE FOR SLIDE FASTENERS I Filed Feb. 1, 1944 WWINVENTOR.

L G-SZZPL, Jo n as Patented Apr. 17, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TAPE FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Lester L. Jones, Oradell, N. J., assignor toConmar Products Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New JerseyApplication February 1, 1944, Serial No. 520,675 (Cl. 139,-384) 9Claims.

durability of the beaded edge of a slide fastener tape for any type ofbead integrally woven on the tape and held by weft threads.

. In the construction of integral beads of slide fastener tapes, it hasbeen heretofore suggested to weave into the fabric structure at its edgea single cord or two cords on its opposite sides, or to us a wovensleeve enclosing a cord, filling or stufilng to form the bead. It hasalso been suggested to use a number of warp threads instead of cords forthe bead filling. These proposals have the disadvantage of exposing thatpart of the weft threads passing around the head to damage by the innersurfaces of the jaws of mounted slide fastener elements. A slidefastener element generally comprises a head portion provided withinterlocking means and jaws which are secured to the tape by clampingthem under great pressure around the beaded edge. Abrasion of the weftthreads and other damage, such as tearing, result from compression ofthe beaded edge in the jaws of the fastener elements, fromirregularities on the inner surfaces of the jaws The nature of thisinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a view looking at a slide fastener element attached to a tape,the bead and a portion of the tape being shown schematically in section,

a slider fragmentarily shown being also indicated,'fthe tape and beadstructure embodying the principles ofthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a' beaded tape showingschematically amodified form of tape and beaded edge structure of the presentinvention; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the latter taken in section in the planeof the line 34 of Fig. 2.

In order to more clearly illustrate the inven= tion, the tape beadforming parts are not shown in compressed relation, as assumed therebywhen slide fastener elements are clamped to a tape head, but are showninstead in loose relation.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the tape T is illustrated as including threedifferent longitudinal parts extending transversely thereof. Mindicates'the main part along the free edge of the tape; V is a narrowpart adjoining the beaded edge and generally within the compass of theslider; and B is the beaded edge. The slide fastener element E has ahead H and the two bead B encompassing and also from small motions ofthe elements in use. One of the main objects of the present invention isto devise a beaded tape structure in which such abrasion, wear and tearare eflectively minimized.

Another disadvantage of prior tapes with integral heads is the exposureof weft threads to abrasion by movement of the slider. It is, therefore,a further object of this invention to provide a weave for the tape whichwill minimize the abrading of the weft threads by the slider. Morespecifically, it is an object of the invention to specially weave thetape in the region adjoining the bead in order to hold the weft threadsclose to the bead so as to prevent abrasion by the slider.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in the regionadjoining the beaded edge a weave of great stretch in the direction ofthe weft threads. This is desirable because of the inequalities in weftthread tension due tothe fastener elements mounted at spaced intervalsalong the beaded tape edge.

jaws J. A slider S is mounted on the slide fastener, and the inturnedflanges F, F of the slider are spaced apart to permit of the freemovement of the slider along the slide fastener tape T.

In the tape selected for illustration in Fig. l, th weave of the mainpart M is what is called an even twill in which weave the weft threads,such as the weft thread I, pass over two and under two warps, such asthe warp threads to, w. It is to be understood that any suitable weavemay be em ployed for the part M.

A slider when mounted on two slide fastener stringers and when movedalong same, rides on each side, as is indicated in Fig. 1, with itsinturned flanges F, F overthe tape thereby rubbing on the respectivetape regions. It has been exerienced that a breakdown of slide fastenersusually occurs by tearing of the weft threads in said tape regions. Ihave found that by providing a weave for the region V of the tapesuitable for holding the weft threads close to the bead, this liabilityto rupture orbreak down is removed or minimized. Furthermore, accordingto the pres ent invention, the part or section V is also made to serveanother purpose, that is, to minimize the inequalities in weft threadtension in high-tension uses of slide fasteners. Due to the fastenerelements being mounted on the tape at spaced intervals, the weft threadsin line with the Jaws of the elements are put under high tension. Sincethe bead portions between adjacent fastener elements do not effectivelytransmit the tension to the weft threads positioned between elements,substantially all the stress is carried by the weft threads in line withthe element jaws. I have found that such inequalities can be minimizedby giving the weft threads maximum stretch in a transverse direction.These results I accomplish by making the weave of the part or section inthe form of a so-called plain weave. This is formed by passing weftthreads over one warp and under the next warp as shown in Fig. 1, while,the second time across, the weft thread passes in the reverse order.This plain weave for the section V has proved satisfactory both to holdthe weft threads close to the bead and to give the weft threads maximumstretch in a transverse direction. Anyother weave suitable to servethese two purposes may also be employed. I find it preferable to use forthe part or section V the tightest possible weave, and in a preferredform I use for the part or section V a tighter weave than for theremainder of the tape. The part V usually extends over an approximatewidth of five to ten warp threads.

The bead B in the form of the invention depicted in Fig. 1 comprise oneor more tubular bead forming pockets and filling in the aforesaid pocketor pockets. Fig. 1, the bead comprises a stufler here consisting of twocords C, C woven into two tubular pockets in the tape along one edge atopposite sides thereof. The cords C, C are enveloped by the bead formingpockets formed by the interlaced warp threads w and weft threads such asthe thread i. The interlacing forming these pockets has its weft threadsweaving under and over the warp threads, the characteristic of theconstruction being that the warp threads which are over each weft threadare a multiple of the warp threads under each such weft thread. Thus asshown in Fig. 1, the weft thread I is interlaced with the warp threadsw, w so that at the exposed surfaces of the bead B the weft threadthreads under four, then over one, and continues to alternate in thismanner around the bead. I have found that the desired multiple is fromthree to five warp threads over each weft thread for every warp threadunder each such weft thread. As a result, the warp threads are exposedto the inner surface of the element jaws to a greater extent than theweft threads. Viewed from another angle, the warp threads protect theweft threads from the inner surfaces of the element jaws. Thereby thewarp threads help protect the weft threads against abrasion by the jawsof the slide fastener elements and against the wear and tear whichresults from compression of the beaded edge within the jaws of thefastener elements, from irregularities on the inner surfaces of the jawsand also from small motions of the elements in use.

Inthe form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the stuifer cords C, C areusually of opposite twisted construction. It will be understood thatinstead of the cords C, C, the stnfier may comprise a plurality of warpthreads bunched together throughout their lengths and interlaced in theweaving operation with the warp threads w and weft threads I. The warpthreads w surrounding the bead may be arranged and bunched together invarious ways, and the number of the weft threads may be varied adesired,

In the form shown in the important characteristic being the structureabove described whereby the warp threads are exposed to the innersurfaces of the element jaws and the weft threads are protected orshielded by the warp threads.

By constructing the part or section V of the tape web in a plain weaveas above described. in addition to giving the weft threads here maximumtretch in a transverse direction for the reasons explained, the weftthreads I are held close to the bead B so that the slider S has alessened tendency in its movement over the slide fastener to rub againstthe tape regions over which the flanges F, F thereof ride. Therebyexposure of the weft threads at the bead and in the region adjoining thebead to abrasion by movement of the slider is also minimized.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the tape T also consists of threetransversely extending parts or sections, namely, M, V and B. In thetape shown, the weave of the main part M is an uneven twill weave inwhich the weft threads I, f

pass under one and over two warps, each weft thread, as is clearly shownin Fig. 2, lapping back on the respective interlacings on the previousweft thread. The part V as before is a plain weave. The bead B is formedhere by a single cord 0' (or corresponding warp stuffers) woven in thetape along one edge, a number of warp threads w, w enveloping the cord,Thus, cons'idering one of the weft threads, such as the weft thread f1,beginning at the free tape edge it passes under warp 101, over warps w:and we, continues in this way for the section M, until it forms theplain weave for the section V. In the bead structure B, this weft threadf1 passes under three warp threads 1.04, 1175, we, and then over thewarp thread an, and continues to alternate in this manner around thecord C. The second time across the tape web, the weft thread, now Is,interlaces with the warp threads of the part V and M after the manner ofweft thread ii, the uneven twill interlacings of the weft thread I: forthe section M being, however, displaced by one warp with reference tothe uneven twill interlacings of the weft thread f1.

In the constructions of the part M and of the tubular formation B, theinterlacings of succeeding weft threads with the warp threads varyaccording to the following pattern: In the part or section M, the weftthreads f3, f4; f5 and fa each ends (or begins) its. uneven twill weaveone warp behind (displaced from) its preceding weft thread. The seventhrow of the weft threads, I1, is a repetition of the first row f1; andthe eighth and ninth rows, fa and is, are repetitions of rows f2 and f3,etc. In the tubular formation B, the successive weft threads, such as11, f3, f5 and i1, interlace with-the warp threads w, each in the mannerabove described, but by successive one warp displacements. The ninthrow, f9, (which is the fifth successive weft thread in the samedirection) is a repetition of the first row h; the eleventh row would bea repetition of the third row, etc. Each weft thread over the bead,however, lies under three warp threads and then over one warp thread;and by thus passing under three warp threads the respective portions oftheir lengths lie between the warp threads and the cord C and arethereby protected against abrasive weave arrangement for the beadsection B and the bead adjacent section V, within the principles aboveset forth, without departing from the spirit of the invention defined inthe following claims. I claim: 1. A beaded tape for slide fastenercomprising an integrally woven web, tubular bead formin pocket and astuifer in said pocket, the web and tubular pocket being formed byinterlaced weft and warp threads, the interlacing forming the pockethaving its weft threads weaving under and over the warp threads, thewarp threads over each weft thread being a multiple of the warp threadsunder each such weft thread.

2. A tape for slide fasteners having an integral bead along one edge,the bz'ad being formed by at least one cord held by weft and warpthreads interlacing with the weft threads weaving.under and over thewarp threads, the warp threads over each weft thread being a multiple ofthe warp threads under each such weft thread around the bead.

3. A beaded tape for slide fasteners comprising an integrally woven web,tubular bead forming ing pocket and a stufier in said pocket, the weband tubular pocket being formed by interlaced weft and warp threads, theinterlacing forming the pocket having its weft threads weaving under andover the warp threads, the warp threads over each weft thread being fromthree to five for every Warp thread under each such weft thread.

5. A beaded tape for slide fasteners comprising an integrally woven web,tubular bead forming pocket and a stufl'er in said pocket, the web andtubular pocket being formed by interlaced weft and warp threads, theinterlacing forming the pocket having its weft threads weaving under andover the warp threads, the warp thread over each weft .thread being amultiple of the warp threads under each such weft thread, whereby thewarp threads help protect the weft threads against abrasion by the jawsof slide fastener elements, said web including a narrow part adjoiningthe bead, said part being of a tight weave to hold the weft threadsrunning across the web close to the bead and also to give said part asgreat a' stretch as possible in the direction of the weft threads.

. pocket having its weft threads weaving under and over the warpthreads, the warp threads over each weft thread being a multiple of thewarp threads under each such weft thread, said web including a partadjoining the bead, said part being made in a plain weave.

7. A'beaded tape for slide fasteners comprising an integrally woven web,tubular bead formin pocket and a stuffer in said pocket, the web andtubular pocket being formed by interlaced weft and warp threads, theinterlacing forming the pocket having its weft threads weaving under andover the warp threads, the warp threads over each weft thread'being fromthree to five for every warp thread under each such weft thread. saidweb including a part adjoining the head, said part being made in a oneto one weave.

8. A beaded tape for slide fasteners compr sing an integrally woven web,tubular bead forming pocket and a stuffer in said pocket, the web andtubular pocket being 'formed by interlaced weft and warp threads, theinterlacing formin the pocket having its weft threads weaving un der andover the warp threads. the warp threads over each weft thread being amultiple of the warp threads under each such weft thread. successiveweft threads being interlaced with the warp threads by successive onewarp displacements.

9. A tape for slide fasteners having an integral bead along one edge.the bead being formed by at least one cord held by weft and warp threadsinterlacing with the weft threads weaving under and over the warpthreads, the warp threads over each weft thread bein. a multiple of thewarp.

with the warp threads by successive one warp displacements. v

- LESTER L. JONES.

